All phone numbers are in area code 502 unless specified.
American Printing House for the Blind
1839 Frankfort Ave.
895-2405; www.aph.org [4]
Founded in 1858, the American Printing House for the Blind is the world’s largest and the nation’s oldest nonprofit company devoted solely to creating products for visually impaired people. Recorded books, special educational aids, braille texts and talking computer software are made here. Tours are offered Mon.-Thurs. at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Visitors can also peruse the Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Belle of Louisville
Fourth Street Wharf
574-2992; www.belleoflouisville.org [5]
Built in 1914 as the Idlewild, the Belle of Louisville is the nation’s oldest operating river steamboat. Now a National Historic Landmark, it offers Ohio River excursion cruises throughout the summer and fall. Call for information about daytime cruises, sunset cruises and Saturday-night adult dance cruises, as well as special holiday cruises.
Caesars Glory of Rome
SR 111, west of New Albany, Ind.
1-888-766-2648; www.caesars.com [6]
The world’s largest floating casino, 452 feet long and 100 feet wide, features four floors full of slot machines, roulette wheels, blackjack and craps tables, and other gaming tables, along with several lounges and delis. Open seven days a week 9a.m.-5a.m.
Carnegie Center for Art & History
201 East Spring Street
New Albany, IN 47150
Phone 812/944-7336
Contemporary art gallery, history museum, and former Carnegie library that offers a full schedule of changing exhibitions as well as a free family art workshop the second Saturday of each month and other educational programs. On permanent display is The Yenawine Dioramas, a hand-carved, animated display of life in turn of the century Indiana, and the award-winning interactive multimedia exhibit Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage: Men and Women of the Underground Railroad in the Indiana and Kentucky Borderland. Admission is free.
Cathedral of the Assumption
433 S. Fifth St.
582-2971
Renovated inside and out during the past eight years (a new steeple was added in fall ’98), this magnificent, 148-year-old Roman Catholic cathedral, constructed in the Gothic Revival style, attracts visitors of all faiths. Its doors are open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Sun., 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Mass times are Mon.-Fri., 7:45 a.m. and noon; Sat., 5:30 p.m.; and Sun., 9:30 a.m., noon and 5:30 p.m.
Cave Hill Cemetery
701 Baxter Ave.
451-5630
This scenic 284-acre, 153-year-old burial plot — graced by rises, hollows, ponds with myriad waterfowl, and almost every tree native to North America — is the final resting place of such notables as Gen. George Rogers Clark, the founder of Louisville, and Col. Harland Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame. It’s also a favorite contemplative walking place for locals. Open daily 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m., including holidays.
Churchill Downs
700 Central Ave.
636-4400; www.kyderby.com [7]
The twin spires of Churchill Downs are synonymous with Louisville for a generation raised on annual national television broadcasts of the Kentucky Derby. But the Kentucky Oaks and the Derby have been around a bit longer than TV: The Derby and Oaks will celebrate their 129th running in 2003. The track also hosts a two-month spring meet (April 26-July6 ) and a month-long fall meet (Oct. 26-Nov. 29). Even when the Thorough-breds aren’t running, the adjacent Kentucky Derby Museum (see Museums for details) still is, with hourly tours of the Downs.
Conrad/Caldwell House
1402 St. James Court
636-5023; www.conradcaldwell.org [8]
Built between 1892 and 1895, this Richardsonian Romanesque mansion was home to Theophilus Conrad (who made his fortune in leather-tanning) before being purchased by the Caldwells, whose water-tank-manufacturing business is still going strong today. Now a museum house owned by the St. James Court Historic Foundation Inc., the mansion features a hand-sculpted stone exterior and period furnishings. Open Wed.-Fri. and Sun., noon-4 p.m., and Sat. from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with the last tour starting at 3:30 p.m. Group tours are available at other times by appointment.
Crane House
1244 S. Third St.
635-2240; www.cranehouse.org [9]
Crane House is the only Asian cultural center in the region, and offers educational and cultural programs to help Americans and Asians become better acquainted. Classes in Mandarin Chinese and Asian cooking are offered regularly. There’s a library for children and adults, and other programs are available. Mon.-Fri., 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Culbertson Mansion State Historical Site
914 E. Main St.
New Albany, Ind.
(812) 944-9600
www.ai.org/ism/sites/culbertson [10]
Built between 1867 and 1869, this mansion is an airy example of French Second Empire architecture. Hand-painted ceilings and ornate woodwork evoke the opulence of the Victorian upper class. Open for tours from mid-December through April 1. Tues.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m. (last tour starts at 4 p.m.).
851 Mansion
851 S. Fourth St.
585-7100
Narrow in width but long on ornate beauty, this house was designed by Henry Whitestone in 1871. Early owners included the Tompkins, Buchanan and Rankin families, but the structure has been part of Spalding University since 1918. Open to self-guided tours Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center
201 W. Riverside Drive
Clarksville, Ind.
(812) 280-9970; www.fallsoftheohio.org [11]
The metro area’s most impressive geological, anthropological, zoological and historical displays are found at this handsome tourist attraction and learning center, located on a bluff overlooking the fossil beds and roiling waters of the famous Falls of the Ohio. A special treat is a wired-for-sound wildlife sanctuary, which you observe from behind a glass wall in the rear of the center. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m.
Farmington
3033 Bardstown Road
452-9920; www.historicfarmington.org [12]
Octagonal rooms and 14-foot ceilings are two features of this Federal-style, Thomas Jefferson-inspired house built in 1810 by primarily African-American slaves for John and Lucy Speed. In 1841, Abraham Lincoln visited, and a copy of his thank-you letter is displayed. The house stands on 18 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds that feature a restored garden and a two-story carriage house. Farmington is filled with period pieces and has original glass, woodwork and brass. Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30-4:30 p.m., with the last guided tour at 3:45 p.m. (3:30 Sun.).
Hadley Pottery
1570 Story Ave.
584-2171; www.hadleypottery.com [13]
It was in the 1940s that Mary Alice Hadley created a set of stoneware painted freehand for a special friend. Word of her unique designs spread across the country, and today Hadley Pottery is one of the most respected names in handcrafted kitchenware. The show-room welcomes buyers and browsers six days a week, and offers weekday tours at 2 p.m. if the temperature remains under 85 degrees.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
581-0100
Louisville Horse Trams’ dozen or so carriages offer rides through the streets of downtown Louisville year-round, weather permitting. No set pick-up spots; just flag one down (minimum $15) or call for a reserved ride.
Joe Huber Family Farm & Restaurant
2421 Scottsville Rd., Starlight, Ind.
812-923-5255
www.joehubers.com [14]
Whether its picking fresh fruits and vegetables in the summer, enjoying an old-fashioned Thanksgiving or harvesting Christmas Trees, this local landmark provides year-round family fun. Hubers is located about 15m iles northwest of downtown Louisville.
Locust Grove
561 Blankenbaker Lane
897-9845; www.locustgrove.org [15]
This 55-acre National Historic Landmark has always welcomed visitors, including presidents James Monroe, Andrew Jackson and Zachary Taylor. Built in 1790 in the Georgian style, it was the last home of Gen. George Rogers Clark, the founder of Louisville and a Revolutionary War hero. Visitors can tour the restored house and outbuildings and 18th-century gardens. There’s also a visitors’ center with a gallery, an audio-visual presentation and a museum store. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30-4:30 p.m., with the last tour each day beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory
800 W. Main Street
(502) 588-7228
www.sluggermuseum.org [16]
Come visit the World's Biggest Baseball Bat. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is one of the most visited attractions in Kentucky. While you enjoy learning about the famous Louisville Slugger Bat you can also see how they are made. Come see how the Louisville Slugger has made baseball America's favorite passtime. Open year round, please check website for tour prices, times and bat production.
Louisville Science Center
727 W. Main St.
561-6100; www.louisvillescience.org [17]
Located on historic Main Street in a 19th-century building, the Science Center features hands-on exhibits and a four-story theater where the latest IMAX films are shown daily. Permanent exhibits include the Space Science Gallery, KidZone, “The World We Create” and “The World Within Us.” A gift shop, restaurant, group dining facilities and bus parking are available. Mon.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Louisville Stoneware
731 Brent St.
582-1900; www.louisvillestoneware.com [18]
Nationally renowned hand-painted dinnerware and ovenware are crafted at Louisville Stoneware. Visitors can observe the entire manufacturing process, from potter’s wheel to kiln-firing, or paint their own pottery during weekday tours at 10:30 a.m., noon, and 1:30 p.m. The showroom doubles as a gift shop.
Louisville Water Tower/Louisville Visual Arts Association
3005 River Rd.
896-2146, www.louisvillevisualart.org [19]
Built in the 19th century as a standpipe to deliever water to Louisville residents, the Louisville Water Tower is now a National Historic Landmark. Resting on the banks of the Ohio River, the spacious facility also is home to one of Louisville's best known contemporary art centers, the Louisville Visual Arts Association.
Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian Way
459-2181; www.louisvillezoo.org [20]
This expansive regional zoo incorporates 134 rolling acres, with more than 1,300 animals on display. Notable exhibits include the MetaZoo Education Center, the Herp-Aquarium, the rotating Islands exhibit, a walk-through Rain Forest, the Boma African Petting Zoo and the new four-acre Gorilla Forest exhibit. The zoo also has a miniature train and tram rides, and indoor-outdoor restaurants. Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. from April 1 through Labor Day, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. the rest of the year.
McApline Locks and Dam
27th and Canal streets
74-3514
McApline is the only canal and locks system on the entire 981 mile length of the Ohio River. The Falls of th Ohio rapids, which stalled navigation in the city's early days, are now skirted by barges toting an average of five million tons of cargo (mostly coal) through the Portland Canal each month. Visitors can walk a drawbridge to a 40 foot high observation tower over the canal to better view locks using vessels.
Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing
7410 Moorman Road
935-6809; www.riverside/landing.org [21]
This Federal-style home built in the 1830s interprets 19th-century farm life on the Ohio River. Furnished with mid-century period pieces (many donated by descendants of its former owners), this Valley Station landmark also features a well-preserved Greek Revival portico overlooking the lazy river at a spot where riverboats landed and sandbars allowed people — and livestock — to ford the mighty waterway to Indiana. The modern steamboat-replica Spirit of Jefferson
(call 574-2992 for cruise information) docks here from July through October. Riverside hours: Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1-4:30 p.m., with the last tour at 3:30 p.m.
Scribner House
State and Main streets
New Albany, Ind.
(812) 949-1776
New Albany’s oldest frame dwelling was built in 1814 by Joel Scribner, the New Yorker who founded this Hoosier town and named it for the capital of his home state. Today the Scribner House is owned and operated by the Daughters of the American Revolution, which invites the public in for a Victorian-tea open house each first Sunday in December. Group tours are by appointment only.
Star of Louisville
151 W. River Road
589-7827; www.staroflouisville.com [22]
This 130-foot-long, yacht-style ship offers cruising and dining, with fully enclosed dining decks. It features unlimited buffets,entertainment and dancing year-round. There also are three outdoor observation decks. Cruises are available seven days a week.
Waterfront Park
River Road next to Louisville Slugger Field
574-3768, www.louisvillewaterfront.com [23]
With more than a million visitors annually, Louisville's Waterfront Park plays host to dozens of music festivals and social functions each year. The 55-acre park along the Ohio River opened in 1999, and construction is under way on an additional 35 acres to the east of the current park. You can jog, walk, join the occasional pick-up football game, rent a bicycle built for two, enjoy the childrens' playground, splash in fountains or simply take in the park's magnificent views of the river and downtown Louisville.
Whitehall
3110 Lexington Road
897-2944
Built around 1855, this historic home was transformed into a 15-room Classical Revival mansion in 1910. Now decorated with traditional Victorian furnishings, the house sits on 11 acres that include a tri-level Florentine garden. Tours are offered Mon.-Fri. from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.